Trouble light guard



Jan. 28, 1964 L. BRODER 3,119,568

' TROUBLE LIGHT GUARD Filed Nov. 20. 1961 FIIG.6

I NVENTOR.

62 LEONARD BRODER MM- w, W

O F I 7 ATTORNEYS Unite rates 3 are nice 3,119,568 TROUBLE LIGHT GUARDLeonard Broder, 210 Summit Drive, Cranston, RI. Filed Nov. 20, 1961,Ser. No. 153,365 6 Claims. (Cl. 240102) The present invention relates toa trouble light guard. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a trouble light guard that is molded of a plastic material in aone-piece construction.

Trouble light guards are normally employed with extension trouble lightsand are adapted to protect the light bulb mounted in the extensionconnection. Prior to the instant invention, trouble light guards havealways been fabricated of metal materials and usually included areflector element to which a cage member was hingedly secured. A hookwas also secured to the reflector and provided for hanging the troublelight in use. Although the prior known trouble light guards have beengenerally satisfactory for the purpose for which they were employed,they have found some disfavor because of the poor shock absorbingcharacteristics of the metal materials from which they were constructed.The metal materials also materially increased the cost of manufacture ofthe assembled trouble light. The cage member of the trouble light guardof the prior known devices was further formed as a separate element fromthe reflector, and in the assembly of the unit it was necessary tohingedly connect the cage member to the reflector. This additional stepin the manufacture of the trouble light guard further increased the costof the complete unit.

The present invention represents a total departure from the concept oftrouble light guards known heretofore, and includes a trouble lightguard that is molded of a plastic material in a one-piece construction.Thus, the guard reflector is integrally connected to the cage member bya hinge construction that is also formed in the molding process, therequirement for fabricating separate hinge members thereby beingeliminated.

The present invention further includes a novel hook construction that isjoined directly to the reflector, the hook construction including adouble hook arrangement which provides for hanging the trouble lightguard in a variety of positions regardless of the location of the meanson which the trouble light guard is hung. The present invention alsoincludes a novel cage latch structure which is formed as an integralpart of the molded trouble light guard, thereby avoiding the requirementof a separate latch for securing the cage member to the reflector. Thestrap for securing the trouble light guard to the trouble light lampholder on which the guard is adapted to be mounted is also molded as anintegral part of the entire guard assembly and thereby eliminates therequirement of attaching an additional element to the assembly forsecuring the guard to the lamp holder.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide atrouble light guard that is molded of a plastic material in a one-piececonstruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molded troublelight guard that includes a novel hinge construction that provides forintegrally connecting the cage member of the trouble light guard to thereflector thereof.

Still another object is to provide a hinge construction for use in atrouble light guard wherein the cross-sectional dimension thereof isreduced, the reduced cross-sectional dimension of the hinge constructionenabling a cage member to be integrally and hingedly connected to areflector of the trouble light guard.

Still another object is to provide a molded trouble light guard that isformed with a double-hook hanging construction.

Still another object is to provide a latch for a molded trouble lightguard formed of a plastic material, wherein the resilient properties ofthe plastic material from which the trouble light guard is molded enablethe latch to retain the cage member of the trouble light guard in closedposition with respect to the reflector thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated byme for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molded plastic trouble light guardembodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the molded plastic trouble lightguard showing the cage member in the open posit-ion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the trouble light guard in the openposition thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the hingeconstruction that is seen in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch that is joined to thecage member.

Referring now to the drawing, the trouble light guard embodied in thepresent invention is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a reflectormember generally indicated at 12 and a cage member generally indicatedat 14. The reflector member 12 and cage member 14 are molded together asan integral unit and are formed of a plastic material that issubstantially rigid to resist external forces applied to the troublelight guard and that also has heat resistant characteristics that willprevent breakdown of the plastic material when a burning lamp isenclosed within the reflector and cage member for a considerable periodof time. Plastic materials derived from the petrochemicals have beenfound to be particularly adaptable for the purpose set forth in thepresent invention, and in particular polypropolene has been found tosatisfy all of the strength and heat resistant characteristics that arerequired by the various underwriting institutions.

The reflector member 12 is defined by a body 16, the main portion ofwhich is semi-cylindrical in configuration so as to define a reflectingsurface. Continuously joined to the semi-cylindrical portion of the body16 is an upper semi-domed portion 18 and a lower semi-truncated portion20. Extending around the outside edges of the body 16 and defining amargin therefor is a beaded edge 22, which as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, hasan enlarged portion 24 formed thereon approximately intermediate thebody 16. Formed in the enlarged portion 24 is a slot 25 that is adaptedto receive a latch, as will hereinafter be described.

The trouble light guard 10 is adapted to be secured to a lamp holderthat forms a component part of the complete trouble light assembly, andfor this purpose the lower semi-truncated pontion 20 has a semi-circularlower neck portion 26 integrally joined thereto at the bottommost edgethereof to which a strap 27 is joined. The strap '27 is defined byopposed legs 28 and 30 to (which are joined outstanding ears 3-2. and34, respectively. Bars 32 and 34 have suitable openings [formed thereinfor receiving a bolt that is adapted to tighten the stnap 26 on the lampholder. As indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 5, the legs 28 and30 of the strap 26 are molded in an outwardly extending position. In theposition of use the legs 28, 30 are folded inwardly .to the fulllineposition so as to define substantially circular securing 3 means forreceiving the neck of the trouble light holder therein. It is understoodthat the bolt extending through the openings in the cars 32, 34 willsecure the cylindrically formed legs 28, 30 around the neck of the lampholder.

Joined to the marginal edge 22 at the uppermost end of the semi-domedportion 18 is a hook member 36 that has a double-hook configurationdefined by oppositely disposed hook elements 38 and 40. It is seen thatby providing the double-hook construction, a trouble light incorporatingthe guard herein may be conveniently mounted in position so as to exposethe lamp therein regardless of the position of the means on which thetrouble light is hung.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cage member 14 is shown comprising aplurality of arcuate-shaped transversely' extending ribs 42 and aplurality of longitudinally extending ribs 44 that, in effect, define aspider-like structure. The transversely extending 'arcuate-shaped ribs42 intersect the longitudinally extending ribs 44 adjacent the endsthereof, the remaining portions of the upper ends of the longitudinallyextending ribs 44 being arcuate in shape to complement the configurationof the semi-domed portion 18 of the reflector body 16. Both thetransversely extending and longitudinally extending ribs 42 and 44 arejoined to a marginal edge 46 that defines the outer rim of the cagemember. Joined to the lowermost ends of the marginal edges 46 areinclined ribs 48 and 50, while the central longitudinal rib 44 has anextension joined thereto defined by an inclined rib 52. Joined to theinclined ribs 48, 50 and 52 is a semi-circular lower rim 53 thatcooperates with the semi-circular lower neck portion 26 to define acircular opening for receiving a lamp holder therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the hinge connection joining the cagemember 14 to the reflector member 12 is illustrated, and as shown, thehinge connection includes spaced hinge sections generally indicated at54. Both hinge sections 54 are defined by an integral connecting sectionwhich is indicated in FIG. 6 at 58, the hinge connection 58 beingreduced in cross sectional dimension with respect to the dimension ofthe adjacent marginal edges 22. and 46 that are formed on the reflectormember '12 and cage member 14 respectively. By reducing thecross'sectional dimension of hinge element connecting sections,resistance to folding movement of the cage member 14 is decreased andthe cage member, accordingly, may be hinged along the reduced section.However, the material from which the trouble light guard is molded issufficiently resilient and resistant to bending stresses to avoiddeterioration even though. the cage member 14 may be frequently pivotedon the hinge axis thereof to a latched position with respect to thereflector member 12. By providing the integral hinge connection asillustrated and described, the complete trouble light guard constructionmay be molded in a one-piece unit, the only external elements being afastening bolt that extends through the openings in the strap cars 32and 34 and a nut associated with the bolt.

In order to latch the cage member 14 to the reflector 12, the portion ofthe marginal edge 46 of the cage member that is located opposite thehinge axis of the trouble light guard is formed with an outwardlyextending latch 60 that is illustrated more clearly in FIG. 7. The latch60 is disposed in aligned relation with respect to the slot 25 and isformed with an outwardly extending locking.

portion 62 on which a shoulder 64 is tormed. A tongue 66 is joined tothe locking portion 62 and defines a guide for directing the lockingportion 62 within the slot 25. The locking portion 64 is sufficientlyflexible so as to be squeezed through the slot 25 and it is understoodthat when the cage member 14 is to be latched tothe reflector member 12,the tongue 66 is pushed through the opening 25 in the projection '24,the latching portion 62 being depressed until the shoulder 66 is movedbeyond the confines of the slot. The shoulder 66 then locks the latch60' in position within the slot 25. When the latch 60 is to be released,the locking portion 62 is deformed to permit the latch 60 to bewithdrawn from the slot.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a trouble light guard integrally molded of a plastic material, abody portion formed in a generally curved configuration and defining areflector, the inside surface of which is concave, said body portionincluding an enlarged peripheral edge on one side of which a slot isformed that defines a latch opening, a double hook construction moldedintegrally to the enlarged peripheral edge of said body portion andextending upwardly from the uppermost end thereof, a cage member moldedintegrally to said body member and defining a one-piece constructiontherewith, said cage member including a continuously extending marginaledge that is generally of the same shape and size in cross section asthe peripheral edge of said body portion and abutting said peripheraledge in the closed position of said cage member, hinge sections moldedintegrally to the marginal edge of said cage member and to theperipheral edge of said body portion on the side that is opposite tosaid latch opening, said hinge sections being reduced in cross sectionwith respect to the cross sectional dimension of said marginal andperipheral edges to provide for free hinging movement of said cagemember relative to said body portion, and a latch integrally molded tothe marginal edge of said cage member opposite the side on which saidhinge sections are located, said latch projecting into said latchopening for closing said cage member on said body portion.

2. A trouble light guard integrally molded of a plastic material,comprising a body portion having a curved configuration and defining areflector, the inside surface of which is concave, said body portionincluding an enlarged peripheral edge, a cage member molded integrallyto said reflector and defining a one-piece construction therewith, saidcage member including a plurality of transversely and longitudinallyextending ribs that are integrally joined by a marginal edge which abutsthe peripheral edge of said body portion, at least one hinge sectionhingedly connecting the peripheral edge of said body portion to themarginal edge of said cage member along one side thereof, said hingesection being reduced in the cross sectional dimension thereof withrespect to the cross sectional dimension of said marginal and peripheraledges to which it is joined, said hinge section providing for thehinging action of said cage member relative to said body portion, andmeans formed on the peripheral edge of said body portion and themarginal edge of cage member opposite the side on which said hingesection is formed for latching said cage member to said body portion.

3. A trouble light guard integrally molded on a plastic materialcomprising a curved reflector member, the inside surface of which isconcave, a cage member molded in tegrally to said reflector member anddefining a one-piece construction therewith, said cage member includingcurved transverse ribs and substantially straight longitudinal ribs towhich are joined arcuate upper ribs, at least one hinge element moldedintegral to and hingedly interconnecting said reflector member and saidcage member, said hinge element having a reduced cross sectionaldimension with respect to the cross sectional dimension of the portionof said cage member and reflector member to which it is joined thatprovides for relative hinging movement between said reflector member andan s said cage member, and means formed on the peripheral edge of saidcage member and on the marginal edge of said reflector member oppositesaid hinge element for latching said cage member to said reflectormember.

4. A trouble (light guard as set forth in claim 3, a hook portion joinedto the uppermost end of said reflector member, said hook portionincluding oppositely extending hook elements.

5. A trouble light guard as set forth in claim 19, a lowersemi-truncated portion joined to the lowermost end of said curvedreflector member, and a securing strap interconnected to said semivruncated portion.

6. A trouble light guard as set forth in claim 3, said latching meansincluding a slot that is formed on the side of said reflector memberthat is opposite the side on which said hinge element is formed, and alatch joined to said cage on the side opposite to that on whichReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,965,004 Rowell July 3, 1934 2,236,940 Foley Apr. 1, 1941 2,499,825Havlicek Mar. 7, 1950 2,635,781 Hume Apr. 21, 1953 2,716,701 Becker Aug.30, 1955 2,778,533 Savary Jan. 22, 1957 2,880,264 Ruskin Mar. 31, 1959

1. IN A TROUBLE LIGHT GUARD INTEGRALLY MOLDED OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL, ABODY PORTION FORMED IN A GENERALLY CURVED CONFIGURATION AND DEFINING AREFLECTOR, THE INSIDE SURFACE OF WHICH IS CONCAVE, SAID BODY PORTIONINCLUDING AN ENLARGED PERIPHERAL EDGE ON ONE SIDE OF WHICH A SLOT ISFORMED THAT DEFINES A LATCH OPENING, A DOUBLE HOOK CONSTRUCTION MOLDEDINTEGRALLY TO THE ENLARGED PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION ANDEXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPERMOST END THEREOF, CAGE MEMBER MOLDEDINTEGRALLY TO SAID BODY MEMBER AND DEFINING A ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTIONTHEREWITH, SAID CAGE MEMBER INCLUDING A CONTINUOUSLY EXTENDING MARGINALEDGE THAT IS GENERALLY OF THE SAME SHAPE AND SIZE IN CROSS SECTION ASTHE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION AND ABUTTING SAID PERIPHERALEDGE IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF SAID CAGE MEMBER, HINGE SECTIONS MOLDEDINTEGRALLY TO THE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID CAGE MEMBER AND TO THEPERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION ON THE SIDE THAT IS OPPOSITE TOSAID LATCH OPENING, SAID HINGE SECTIONS BEING REDUCED IN CROSS SECTIONWITH RESPECT TO THE CROSS SECTIONAL DIMENSION OF SAID MARGINAL ANDPERIPHERAL EDGES TO PROVIDE FOR FREE HINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID CAGEMEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID BODY PORTION, AND A LATCH INTEGRALLY MOLDED TOTHE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID CAGE MEMBER OPPOSITE THE SIDE ON WHICH SAIDHINGE SECTIONS ARE LOCATED, SAID LATCH PROJECTING INTO SAID LATCHOPENING FOR CLOSING SAID CAGE MEMBER ON SAID BODY PORTION.